Daily Readings - Wed May 20 2020
Acts
15Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens, and after receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they departed.16Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols.17So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there.18Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, "What does this babbler wish to say?" Others said, "He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities"--because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection.19And they took hold of him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, "May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?20For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean."21Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.22So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: "Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious.23For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, 'To the unknown god.' What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.24The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man,25nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.26And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place,27that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us,28for "'In him we live and move and have our being'; as even some of your own poets have said, "'For we are indeed his offspring.'29Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man.30The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,31because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead."32Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, "We will hear you again about this."33So Paul went out from their midst.34But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.
1After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.
John
12"I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.13When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.14He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.15All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound moments in the spread of God's message. In Acts 17, Paul stands in the heart of Athens, surrounded by idolatry and philosophical debate. He seizes the opportunity to speak of the unknown God, the creator who needs no temple and is closer than we realize. This encounter highlights Paul's courage in sharing the Gospel with a pagan audience, using their own cultural references to connect them to the divine.
In John 16, Jesus speaks to his disciples about the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, who will guide them into all truth. This Spirit will reveal what is yet to come and glorify Jesus by sharing what belongs to him. This passage underscores the Holy Spirit's role in continuing Jesus' work, ensuring his followers are not left as orphans but empowered with truth.
These readings intertwine through the theme of truth and the Holy Spirit. Paul, guided by the Spirit, adapts his message to engage his audience, while Jesus promises the Spirit will lead his disciples into deeper understanding. Both moments emphasize the Spirit's role in revealing God's truth and empowering believers to share it.
In our daily lives, we are called to be open to the Holy Spirit's guidance, just as Paul was. Whether in conversations or challenges, the Spirit equips us to share the Gospel creatively and courageously. We must remain attentive to the Spirit's whispers, allowing it to transform us and use us as instruments of truth in a world that often seeks meaning in the wrong places.
As we reflect, let us remember that the Holy Spirit is our advocate, illuminating our path and empowering our witness. Like Paul, we are called to step into unfamiliar territories, trusting the Spirit's prompting. May we embrace this call with faith, knowing that the Spirit will provide the words and wisdom we need. In doing so, we become part of the ongoing story of God's revelation, bringing light and truth to a world in need.